Master Kirby

Bill gets up in the morning, gets dressed, and heads to work. When he gets there, he goes and checks the day-to-day goings-on in his computer. People seldom think about this tool they use. This is one of the most important tools available to most businesses today and it is only thought about it when it does not work. It is used in most businesses, from scientific research to farming. There are many advantages to building a personal computer, and there are ways to prevent physical and nonphysical threats to this investment.
It is not as hard to build a computer as many people think. In fact, the term "building a computer" is misleading (White, par. 1). A computer is not actually built. Rather, it is assembled. The chips and everything are pre-built. The components just need to be plugged into their correct spots. One benefit of building a computer is to know personally what components are inside it. With this knowledge, the assembler knows what their computer can and cannot do.
Another advantage is that a lot of the bigwig computer companies such as Gateway and Dell void the warranty on the computer if it is opened or taken to a computer shop they don?t approve of. However, in a custom-built computer the user puts together, the warranties are on the individual parts, not the computer as a whole. So, if a component goes out, all that is needed is to switch the ineffective part out. Then warranty will only be on the individual part and they just have to plug the new part in. If the computer needs more power (referring to computing, not electrical), just add to it, as long as the right slots are available. The computer can continually be built upon until it needs to be completely discarded. The most common reason to up grade a computer is when the computer can not handle what it is given, or it is switching roles from a regular PC to a video editor. It is okay to switch to an easier job?it only needs to be modified if it is going to a more demanding use.
If the time is taken to learn the skills needed to build a computer, it can help in at least three ways. First, this will add to the person?s skills that they can list on their resume. Having this skill will certainly be an asset to them personally, and in the job force. Second, it will help save in repair bills at computer stores where the hourly fees range from $0 to $800. Having a computer repaired at a store takes not only money but also time. If they know what they need, they can go and buy the parts and plug them in. If there are problems, there are books and other resources that can help.
There are reasons people don?t build computers. One reason is that people are afraid that they don't know enough about how to do it. It is relatively easy to find information on how to do it, and most items come with a manual. Another reason is people don't think they have enough time to do it. This is crazy because an associate has torn apart and rebuilt a computer in very little time. For many people, it takes around two hours their first try?it?s a small weekend project. The longest part is installing the software. The parts that are needed to make a computer run are hardware and software.
There are two categories for computer technology: hardware and software. The tangible items in the computer are called hardware. The required hardware for a computer is the computer case, power supply, CPU, motherboard, hard drive, RAM, Graphics interface, input devices including CD/DVD drives. Let's look at each of these components and discuss them briefly.
The computer case is like a skeletal system and skin where everything in a computer is attached. It keeps the parts from hitting each other. The computer case also keeps all of the internal parts grounded. Proper grounding protects the internal components from static electricity. Static electricity can short out the circuits. In picking a case one needs to make sure there motherboard will fit in it. It is not required to have a big extravagant one with flashing lights and whirring gizmos. It is important to get one that looks good because it is the part of the computer that is going to be seen the most. Keep in mind there needs to be room to work. Small cases are nice but cramped and large cases take up a lot of room and are sometimes too big.
The power supply, does as its name suggests, supplies power to the components of the computer. It is like the digestive system, it feeds everything in the computers case. It is important to get the right size power supply. When purchasing parts for a computer it will typically say how much power each component uses. Add up these numbers and then add some extra. This allows extra leeway when upgrading to a new computer. If a power supply is too small, it will eventually burn up and it can take out several other computer components with it. Keep in mind that USB devices, namely Thumb Drives, also called memory sticks and flash drives; do not have an independent power supply. Therefore, they also draw their power from the computers power supply. So, if it is cutting it close on power be careful when using thumb drives.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. A computer will not function with out it. The CPU relays the information, does the calculations, and sends the final product to the monitor. There are two major brands of CPU?s today, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and Intel. They both sell the same product CPU?s but each has its own advantages and disadvantages the builder needs to research which would be best depending on what the CPU will be used for before purchasing one.
The motherboard is the nervous system of the computer. The motherboard is what everything eventually plugs into. It routes the information received, and puts it into the proper area depending on its task. As a side note, the CPU will only fit in the correct sized slot. Make sure before buying everything will fit or there is a bit if money down the drain. Choose the CPU first and then choose the motherboard that fits the CPU?s chipset (the chipset is the slot the processor fits into).
The hard drive is also like the brain. But its purpose differs from the CPU in that it stores the information. Currently, a hard drive is measured in gigabytes. A byte is the standard measurement of memory capacity in computers there are 1024 bytes in a kilobyte and 1024 kilobytes in a megabyte and there are 1024 mega bytes in a gigabyte. 120 gigabytes is standard for normal use. For gaming and video editing more gigabytes are needed.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the short term memory for the computer. For example, a document, that?s is being typed, is stored in the RAM. While it is stored in RAM it can be accessed quickly and it is easy to use and alter. When the document is saved , it will go to the hard drive. Programs will usually list how much RAM is needed per program. One gigabyte is usually enough but if the PC is being used to edit videos or play video games it will need more.
The graphics card is the translator that converts the raw data and electric impulses and turns them into a format that can be used by the monitor for display. Some motherboards have built in interfaces so double check before purchasing. When buying a motherboard when looking at the specs it will usually say if it has a video card. Also look for the terms DVI and VGA (they are the interfaces that the monitor plugs into VGA is analog and DVI is digital). This means it has a video card built in. Keep in mind an onboard video card will use the onboard ram because it doesn't have any built in. The size of a graphics card is displayed in megabytes. A 256mb graphics card is more than a pc will need for a run of the mill computer.
Input devices are like the five senses. Let?s start with the CD/DVD. It is currently the medium the majority of programs are stored on. If programs are to be installed in a computer, it needs to have at least one CD player. There are two ways of tying in a CD/DVD drive. There is the IDE (integrated development environment) and SATA (serial advanced technology attachment). IDE is a slightly older type of interface but is still good. SATA is a new comer and it is faster. The type of motherboard chosen will decide what interface can be used. Some have different amounts of connecters. Some only have one. The hard drive and CD/DVD drive use the same connecters. Make sure there are enough connectors.
Due to the changing times and people changing what is plugged into there computers the companies got together and designed a new port for computers it is called the USB (Universal Serial Bus) it supplies power and data transfer needs. The previously mentioned flash drives are the one of the most common things that the get used for but printers and other gadgets can use them as well. The USB ports are meant for Windows ME or more current (they can be used on Windows 98 but certain software is needed). The finale thing that the computer needs is software.
After the computer is built it is important to install the proper programs or software. The first and most important is the operating system which is what tells the computer which programs to open. Any Operating system can be used from DOS to Vista from Linux to XP. Some of the computer parts come with software. It is a good idea that all the software is installed and if it is not needed later on delete it. Then choose the rest of the software that is needed.
There are more threats than just hackers. To protect the computer from physical threats, it is wise to install and use certain devices. The first device is the surge protector. It protects against rapid fluxes in the power reaching the computer. These power problems are frequent in rural areas and can wreak havoc with sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers. If these issues are not stopped, the computer will eventually burn out. It may not be the most expensive parts that burn out, but the computer will still be unusable until the part is replaced. Keep in mind a power surge can also take out the whole system in one fell swoop.
There are also non-physical threats that can endanger a computer. Some of them can be prevented by computer programs such as: anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anonymizer. Let?s start with the anti-virus software. A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user (Wikipedia par. 1). The programmer of the virus decides what havoc to cause. Some virus programmers put random images on the screen while others cause random deletions. Some of these programmers have a ?strange? sense of humor such as having the virus trigger on New Year?s Day or Friday the 13th. One such virus, after having typed so many characters, turned the font purple, and after so many more, a picture would pop up a message saying Mexican devil dance (Louw). As shown, there are many ways to cause problems, like filling up a hard drive or emptying it of everything. The main way to protect a computer from viruses is to get a quality anti-virus program. Two quality anti-virus programs are AVG and avast!(Bush).
Another non-physical threat to a computer is spyware. It is not designed to interfere with how a computer operates but it monitors what is done on a computer. Spyware is designed to be unintentionally picked up when the Internet is used. The purpose of spyware is to find passwords and other ID information, and then it sends that information to the spyware designers. Spyware can be used to target individuals for spam or to exploit victims. If a computer is acting unbelievably slower than usual, it typically has spyware. This happens because a computer can only do so many things at once. Part of the power it should be using to help with day to day operations is being transferred to the spyware. The only way to effectively know whether or not a computer has been affected is if there is spyware-detecting software on it. Spybot Search and Destroy is a quality spyware program (Bush).
The third computer program to protect against hackers is a firewall. A firewall is another layer of protection. It prevents incoming programs from infecting a computer. For example, if a hacker wanted to infect a computer they would have to go through a firewall first. If there is no firewall program it is that much easier for a hacker to infiltrate a computer. Several different firewall programs are available on the Internet. However, Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS operating systems come with a firewall. With a firewall program installed it will make it harder for hackers to access a computer and for viruses and spyware to affect it, thus making it an overall safer and more secure computer.
An anonymizer is another program that protects users and their identity. This program makes it harder for people to track the computer being used which protects personal identities. It acts like a cloak for a computer. A good anonymizer program is the Cloak (Lerner, par 5, p2)
Combined, anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anonymizer programs, can protect a computer from a lot of problems. However, there are still steps that need to be taken to keep these programs up-to-date. Virus, spyware, and hacker programmers keep changing their programs which make these non-physicals threats more advanced than ever. If the protection software is not up to date on the computer the user can become a victim. Protection software needs to regularly updates it self but if it does not it should be updated at least once a week (Bush).
Even though anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anonymizer programs have been installed, these will not completely protect the personal computer owner. Some Internet safety can only be implemented by the user. Internet users need to practice discretion when surfing the net, using e-mail and personal web pages.
Surfing the internet can lead users to a variety of circumstances such as purchasing a car, ordering from a website, looking for information, to editing information. Internet scams are more frequent than ever. Scammers look for identities to either steal for themselves or sale the information on the Internet. To protect an identity, watch out for companies "helping" individuals. Scammers are impersonating real businesses using realistic looking logos and website addresses. Never directly ?reply? to emails where personal information changes are requested. If there is a legitimate problem with the personal information, leave the email program and go directly to the site. Do not link to the site from the e-mail. Scammers can recreate convincing looking websites from scratch. The link can take the user to their dummy site where personal information is inserted and sent to them. Hackers have done this to numerous organizations including the IRS (Lanford, 5).
Only give away information when it is absolutely necessary and then continue to use caution even if it is a legitimate site. Although a website appears safe, hackers can put a screen over it. This screen acts like a duplicate copy. The actual transaction will occur, but the user?s personal information, or duplicate copy of the personal information, was also sent to the hacker who created the screen. Always pay close attention to bank accounts for all transactions made. Keeping finances secret is harder then ever. Devastating consequences can occur when proper care of personal information is not taken.
Another step that can be taken is to delete cookies (short term memory for the Internet that remembers user names and password and other useful things). When registering on sites don't allow them to tell other people personal data. Some sites have privacy agreements. Read the privacy agreements before using that site and creating an identity.
Other e-mail security measures should be taken. Businesses often look into what there employees have been doing on there company e-mail accounts. So, it is important to set up a private account. Several websites offer this service including Yahoo.com, MSN.com and Google.com. All of these sites offer good e-mail service and are extremely reliable. Some e-mail companies offer spam blocking services such as Yahoo. If a company doesn?t offer it or a stray piece of spam gets into the e-mail account it should be deleted. Also, delete e-mails if they are not being used (Lerner 1, 3).
If unsure about an e-mail, look at it, but do not respond if it is spam and delete it. "Unless you encrypt your messages--essentially scrambling the data--your e-mail is no more private than a postcard." (Lerner, 1, 3) A free download encryption program is PGP. Even a simple encryption program helps. It is just like turning house lights on to scare off burglars, it will make it that much harder for someone?s email to be read.
Today?s computer users need to watch there identity and the information they give away. With the rising popularity of personal web pages on sites such as MySpace and Face Book, it is increasingly important for people to watch what they put on the Internet. If people are not careful, they can put embarrassing, limiting, and flat out dangerous information on the Internet. First, users should pretend they are running for president. Do not release any information that they do not want everyone to know. Deep dark secrets are not secrets on the internet. Remember that if a real name or personal address is used it is much easier to find out other personal information. Only release what information is required.
With a little knowledge and patience individuals can learn to assemble their own personal computer and know how protect their investment. Saving money, less down time and a deeper knowledge of the machine will be gained. This should help with a lot of questions about computers and computer safety for more information contact a local computer expert and see what they have to say.